1923 model t runabout question

[Steve Pritchard]

I just purchased a 1923 runabout and it has a shifter in the center of the floor is this a ruckstell two speed rear end and was this an after market item and how do you shift it with high and low, thanks steve

[stevests]

You need to climb under the car and look see if the shifter is coming from an accessory transmission or if in fact attached to linkage headed back to the rear axle. Can you post any photos ?

[Steve Pritchard]

THE CAR IS ON ITS WAY TO ME IN CENTRAL FLORIDA IT IS COMING FROM THE WEST COAST I ONLY HAVE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR PICTURES OF THE CAR UNTIL IT GET HERE i WILL CHECK IT THEM THANKS STEVE

[stevests]

You're welcome - post a photo or two when you can - we'll I.D. it !

[Steve Pritchard]

Got the car over the weekend it is indeed a Ruckstell rear the car is in amazing condition I know it has been fully restored but it had sat for about a year prior to me getting it and the rear wheels are hard to roll I am assuming the brake shoes are causing it, is there any reason the ruckstell could be causing it?? thanks again for your help.

[redmodelt]

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If everything was done right with the Ruckstell, and correct fluid was used, looking at it from the back; with the lever on the housing pulled back, out of Ruckstell, it should roll like any other T. You will have drag from the transmission disk when cold with stock disk installed, there is no true neutral like other cars with single disk clutches. As long as you understand that the Ruckstell (under drive) is either engaged or it is not, there is no neutral, so should roll like any other T. You could try taking the pins out of the brake rods and see if that help. With the lever straight up, there may still be drag on the shoes.
From the back, I mean looking at the the rear of the car.

[stevests]

If this is your first Model T, the handbrake lever needs to be pulled back into a vertical position to get what should be a "neutral" position then the car should be able to roll. It will roll easier if the Ruckstell is in the Ford "direct" position (lever towards the dash) as Mark mentioned.